Design and performance of a new digital phase shifter at X-band

A new digital phase shifter design at X-band is presented. The phase shifter operates based on converting a microstrip line to a rectangular waveguide and thus achieving the phase shift by changing the wave propagation constant through the medium. As a proof of principle, a 3-b phase shifter has been designed and constructed using PIN diode switches. An average insertion loss of 1.95 dB and phase shift error of less than 4/spl deg/ at 10.6 GHz are achieved.